Otaru is a living architectural museum. There are numerous old and distinguished buildings which have been preserved. The city has a building code requiring all buildings to be designed to fit in the overall architectural scheme. If you like 19th century and early 20th century architecture, glassware, and/or music boxes, you will love Otaru. The historic buildings are concentrated along the Ironai-dori and Sakai-machi-dori road. A short walk from the Otaru Canal.

Two historical buildings in Otaru are Important Cultural Properties, and this is one of them. Nippon Yusen, or NYK Line, was and is a major shipping company. This building was their Otaru Branch office, elegant enough to be a State Guesthouse.